Chapter XVIII

Thank you so much for the reviews! Ok, school is starting in a few days, and when it does, chapters will come a bit slower...I'll still update though, have no fear

Silence-before-betrayal: Thank you for the review! I love ur pen name btw!

Msj-yes, platypuses, I love them!!! Sorry about the cliffie....

Lady Nessa-YEY! Brownies...yum licks lips hem, sorry, they are my favorite dessert!

Taylor-hehe, screenplay...

Right, okay, on to the chapter!

Recap: They ran hard and fast. They ran for their lives.

"Aluka! Don't stop running!!" yelled Van Helsing as Dracula attempted to swoop down upon them.

"With him behind me?! I do not believe I had the thought of stopping in my mind for even the slightest moment!!" Aluka yelled back at him in exasperation.

Aluka and Van Helsing were both very good runners, but it was Carl they were worried about; he wasn't the most physically capable, especially when it came to a sprint for your life. Van Helsing and Aluka heard a yelp from behind them, and faltered for just a moment. Aluka shot a worried look over at Van Helsing, who returned one of the same concerns.

They continued to run, but only half-heartedly, because there was no longer an extra sound of feet following them, or the flap of large, leathery wings. Van Helsing turned and stopped. Aluka did the same.

"I thought you told me not to stop," she said, slightly irritated, turning to face Van Helsing, who looked very grim and was staring down the hall. Aluka noticed this and looked down the hall as well. She groaned at what she saw. Dracula was standing at the end of the hall, holding Carl by the scruff of his neck.

"Damn you Dracula," said Van Helsing under his breath. Dracula smiled evilly.

"I have your friend," said Dracula, as if it was not obvious enough.

"It is seen."

"Let us make a trade," said Dracula, "The little bookworm ('Hey!' said Carl), for your partner."

"No."

"Now, now Van Helsing, don't be stubborn."

"I told you, I don't do trades."

"What about the last one we made? The monster for the princess? Only one survived that-" said Dracula, trailing off, leaving Van Helsing to thoughts of Anna.

"I suppose that you do do trades Van Helsing, it just seems to be that the people in the trade don't always turn out how you would expect. Anna dead, and the monster gone-"Dracula seemed to think. "I suppose the monster didn't get off so badly. He did get away from you, after all." Dracula smirked at the very bitter look on Van Helsing's face.

"By saying that, I see I am not fit to make a trade, so if you will excuse me," he said, walking up to Carl.

"Listen, Van Helsing, you are greatly trying my patience, so will you please HAND OVER THE GIRL!!!" said Dracula, practically spitting with rage.

He could tell that Gabriel was not going to, and grinned evilly.

"Or I will kill him," said Dracula coldly, lifting Carl off his feet.

'Help me!' Carl mouthed to Aluka. Van Helsing caught this as well.

"Fine. Put him down." Aluka looked at Van Helsing in utter disbelief. She had not actually thought that Van Helsing would trade her. Count Dracula already had three wives, and she, if sent with him, would no doubt be the fourth- Dracula smiled cruelly at Aluka.

As Dracula put Carl down, he screeched and pulled his hand back. It was black, as though the skin had been burnt away. They watched his hand closely in concentration, as it healed before their eyes. Carl used Count Dracula's moment of weakness, and took quite a few steps away from him.

"A crucifix," said Dracula, "How very clever of you, little monk."

"Actually, I am a friar," said Carl, and a sharp look from Van Helsing told him this was not the time for that.

"Now hand over the girl," said Dracula. Van Helsing beckoned Aluka to him. She was still staring at him, not able to believe it. He was actually going to hand her over to Dracula.

"I can not believe you," said Aluka to Van Helsing as she passed him. He grabbed her arm, pulling her back, and he whispered in her ear.

"Once you get to Carl, run." Thankfully, Dracula hadn't heard this; because he was busy making sure Carl didn't try and make a break for it, because it was clear that Carl had spent enough time around Dracula for one night. Aluka walked up to Carl as if in a death procession. As she made to pass him, she grabbed his hand, turned, and sprinted down the hallway.

It took Dracula just a moment to react. He screeched and quickly turned in to the hell beast he truly was. He flew after them. Dracula chased them down like a hawk stocking its prey. Aluka was practically dragging Carl after her, because he was still stunned at what they had just done, and was not exactly helpful in the field of running at the moment.

"Come on!!!!" yelled Van Helsing back at Aluka and Carl.

"WE'RE TRYING!!!!!" Aluka yelled back in anger, while still trying to take Carl along with her. 'Of course I'm trying!' thought Aluka in anger. 'Any fool could have realized that' she thought in irritation.

They reached the door to the exit of the castle. If they could just get out, they would have a chance- Van Helsing reached there first, holding open the door. It would be a close call; they might not make it before Dracula got to them.

"HURRY!!!" screamed Van Helsing. Aluka didn't have time to yell back, because she was too preoccupied. At the entrance, the door opened up, and it gave Dracula more of a chance to attack them.

Then Aluka began to think, 'What if we don't get out in time?' She was almost frantic. She grabbed the door and tossed Carl out. She stepped out, and slammed the door.

"We made it," she said, panting. They heard a crash, like the sound of breaking glass, from above them.

"We won't get rid of Dracula that easily."

Hehe. Now you must review, as for me to work faster! I shall try and update asap!

-the evil platypus of doom